Voyce to emerge from shadows

Tom Voyce has lived in the shadow of his famous great uncle and carried the stigma of being a "one-cap wonder" for most of his rugby career, but that will change against New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday.

The London Wasps wing collects his second cap, almost three years to the day after his England debut against USA, and takes another step towards standing on his own as a Tom Voyce in the Rugby Football Union's roll of honour.

Voyce's great uncle, also Tom Voyce, was part of England's first double Grand Slam-winning team in the 1920s and became RFU president in 1960 after winning 23 caps as a flanker and one on the wing.

"I'm very proud of his record but I don't want to live off his name," said Voyce junior. "I want to be known for what I achieve myself."

Patently, the 23-year-old has some way to go before he can match the achievements of his great uncle, although helping England to victory in Saturday's Second Test would be something very special. After all, England were demolished 36-3 in the First Test in Dunedin and it would take a spectacular turnaround for Clive Woodward's men to triumph at Eden Park.

In a bid to prove the World Cup winners are not a spent force, head coach Woodward has turned to Voyce and five other new faces to breathe passion and ferocity into a team that was off the pace in that First Test.

Pace is something Voyce can offer in abundance, as his try-scoring displays for Wasps in their Heineken Cup and English championship-winning campaigns proved.

Now, the former Bath player will try to bridge the gap between top-class club rugby and the international arena against a rampant All Blacks. Voyce was given the chance to fill the No11 jersey where he would have faced Mils Muliaina, who has been moved from full-back to replace injured Doug Howlett.

Instead, Voyce agreed to play right wing where his opposite number will be wonder wing Joe Rokocoko, who has scored 18 tries in just 13 Tests.

Voyce said: "I am relishing the chance to go up against top-class players like Rokocoko and I want to bring my game on to the world stage and prove to myself that I can perform.

"Clive said he'd be happy if I played left or right wing but Ben (Cohen) came up and offered to play either, which was great.

"He asked if I'd be happier playing in the No11 jersey I wear at Wasps but I'm happy to be the No14 against the All Blacks. I feel I can play on both sides.

"I played against Joe in the Under-21 World Cup and, like me, he is bigger, stronger and quicker and I am relishing the opportunity to take on one of the best wings in the world.

"It still hasn't sunk in that I have won so much with Wasps, got on this tour and am now preparing to play against the All Blacks in the Second Test.

"I don't want to miss the special opportunity I now have.

"Is it my first cap? Well, you could say that because I didn't carry on at Test level after my debut in 2001. That first game will always be special but to take on the All Blacks for the first time will be a memorable occasion.

"I almost pinched myself when I was first selected by England. I couldn't really believe it and now I am in Auckland about to get off that 'one-cap wonder' mark, which is very pleasing."